Chapter 9: Relations

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance series. Just the charries that come from my mind.

Avery unwrapped the scarf and let the hood fall back. Caleb was transfixed by her face.

In Avery's face, Caleb's features had been softened and there was no doubt she was a woman, but there was also no doubt she was Caleb's daughter. She had his blonde hair and her eyes gleamed green-blue in the firelight. Her ears were slightly pointed and pierced twice at the points. She also wore a small gold nose ring in her left nostril. She smiled to reveal pearl white teeth.

Caleb stared dumbly at Avery. One thought registering in his mind. Why didn't she tell me?

"Well, are you going to say anything?" Avery mocked him. Caleb gathered himself and brought his face under control.

"Do you know why Lila never told me?"

Avery shrugged. "I told you. She was scared."

"Of what? Of me?"

"I don't know. I just told you the story she told me." Avery leaned back in her chair and watched the firelight play on Caleb's stunned features.

"Caleb?" Dail's voice startled him out of his stupor. He rose and took a step towards the bedroom. Avery raised an eyebrow.

"Where are you going?"

"To get my mate. I need to talk to her." Caleb turned his back on the woman and went to Dail.

His mate was sitting up in their bed, looking confused.

"Is something wrong? I woke up and you weren't here."

"I'm…Dail, you need to come here." Caleb waited while Dail pulled on a night robe and padded out of the bedroom. He watched silently as she saw Avery and stopped in her tracks.

"Who are you?" Dail demanded, eyes never leaving the woman's face. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah, my lady Aiedail Shadeslayer. I am Avery SilverFingers. It is a pleasure to meet my father's lovely mate." Avery bowed low. Dail's eyes widened and she slowly turned to face Caleb.

"Father? Caleb, what is she talking about?" Her eyes plagued Caleb. Confusion, hurt and anger made her emerald green eyes snap.

"Dail, she claims to be my daughter. Lila's daughter." He waited for her to understand his words. "I never knew about her. She says she was born after I found Lila again." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Dail?"

"Get out." Dail's voice was cold as she faced Avery. "Get out and never come back. How dare you come here and try to pass this bunch of shit on us. Get out!!"

Caleb grabbed Dail's arm and pulled her to him. "Dail. I don't think she is lying. Look." He opened his hand and showed her Lila's death bracelet. Assassins wore them while they were working, to show their victims that they would soon be just another charm. Dail took one look at the name tag and her cold façade crumbled. She groped for a chair and sat down heavily.

"Oh gods," she whispered. Caleb glanced at Avery and was angered to see that the woman's face wore an unmistakable look of pleasure.

"Caleb, is it true? Is she really…really your daughter?" Dail whispered. Caleb sighed.

"I think so. Just look at her face Dail. If that isn't proof, I don't know what is."

Dail frowned. "Well then, I guess…we will have to…to introduce Avery as a part of the family."

Avery looked up sharply. "What? Excuse me, who ever said I wanted to be part of you family, madam Shadeslayer? As far as I am concerned, you, dear lady, are only my father's mate. You have nothing to do with me."

Caleb felt his anger rising. "Well, if I really am your father, then I will demand that you treat my mate with respect, Avery SilverFingers. Or perhaps you will change your name to Avery Calebsdaughter. Either way, I will let my other children know of you. I refuse to not let them know of you."

Avery's eyes narrowed. "Ah yes, what are their names, my brothers and sister? Eragon Brom, Eldrey Mor'anr and Hadassah Draumr, am I not correct? Well, I would watch Eldrey if I was you. The King of Surda might have a few choice words for him soon. Good night, Father." With that, Avery gathered her cloak and walked out of the room.

Caleb sat down heavily. He held his head in his hands and sighed. Why did Lila never tell me? I had a right to know that I had a daughter. Gods, she has to be at least thirty. Damn you, Lila. You couldn't have found the time to send a message, or come find me to tell me I fathered a child?!?

"What are we going to do?" Dail asked softly. Caleb looked up.

"I don't know. You aren't upset Dail?"

"Oh course I am upset!! I just found out that my mate has a daughter who is not mine that apparently he never knew about. Oh yeah, I am just peachy!!" She stalked around the room, muttering a few choice curses under her breath. Caleb watched her, knowing from experience it wasn't wise to talk to her just then. "Why didn't she tell you?" Dail finally asked.

"I don't know. It wasn't like we agreed never to see each other again. Rather, we just kind of…left our friendship. I don't know how to describe it. We just parted ways, you know?"

"Well, what are we going to tell our children? That out of no where, an unknown sister has appeared? And an illegitimate sister at that."

Caleb sighed. "Dail, please. I am just as confused as you are. I don't know what we are to do." He gathered her in his arms and rested his chin on her head. "When the time comes, we will figure out what to do."